‘Bridge of hope’ is shut by metal raids

A landmark bridge opened just a year ago has been closed after metal thieves stole vital components.

Striking Puddlers Bridge in Merthyr Tydfil opened by Julien Macdonald a year ago

The striking £200,000 Puddlers Bridge was supposed to bring hope of better times to a struggling town.

But 12 months after it was opened by fashion designer Julien Macdonald it was plundered.

Metal thieves stripped more than 900 metres of stainless steel wire from the suspension bridge in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.

This has forced the council to close the bridge for the next three weeks to replace the wire.

Locals said the latest metal theft was “a kick in the teeth” to the community.

The footbridge over a busy road was described by locally-raised Macdonald, 42, as “a small piece of Las Vegas in Merthyr Tydfil”.

He said at the time: “It is great to celebrate something very positive. It is an incredible piece of modern architecture.” Resident Glenda Jones, 56, said yesterday: “It was so exciting to have Julien come back to his home town and open the brand new bridge.

No-go area...the bridge is now off limits after the thefts

It was a real ray of light in the town. But some idiots have to ruin it

Julien Macdonald

“It was a real ray of light in the town. But some idiots have to ruin it.”

The bridge is part of a £50million walking and cycling route funded by the National Lottery to promote tourism in the South Wales valleys.

Merthyr Council spokesman David Jones said: “It was only a year ago that Julien Macdonald opened this bridge with 100 schoolchildren in attendance.

“I am extremely angered at this theft. We work hard to bring funding into the area to improve and regenerate the county borough and mindless indiv­id­uals undo all the hard work.”

Inspector Clare Hallett, of South Wales Police, said: “These reckless thieves put the safety of the public in danger. It is lucky no incidents occurred as a result of what they did.”